365 days....

 

"If you look reaaaaaaallllll hard, you can see the castle.

It's all the way...far, far away in candyland." -Alice Mims

365 days...hard to grasp.
Somedays it feels like the ones we are missing are....far, far away, in a castle, somewhere in Candyland.  
Somedays it feels like they're as close to us as the tortilla on her face.

I'd sure love to see your eyes light up when I walk in the back door....you know, the way only a grandmother's do.

I'd sure love to tell you about a bad day or disappointments, just to hear you say, I still think you're perfect.....as only the way a grandmother can.

I'd love to show you pictures of Riley, Kate and Alice and tell you about how amazingly perfect and funny and sweet they are....so you could say, "tell me again, I didn't quite hear you Hon." (Knowing you heard perfectly you just wanted the bragging repeated!)....as only a grandmother can.

I'd love to hug Jesus' neck to thank Him for buying our ticket back to you and other's who have gone on before us...as only a Savior Can.

I understand that the only way to be face to face with Him and Big Con is to be away from us.....and that is a tab I am willing to wipe a tear away and pick up.

"You don't have to wait for the end. 

I Am, right now, Resurrection and Life.

 The one who believes in Me, even though he or she dies, will live." ~John 11:25

Because of this promise....all those things that I'd love to do.....

I will.

To be face to face with Christ and loved ones...

is to be away from us...and that is a tab that I am willing pick up. 

(As I wipe away a tear and grab a tortilla.) 

I still love you My Little Momo. I always will.

Thanks for an incredible 44 year ride. 

God, Thank You for the life of Momo. Thank You for providing an abundance of laughter among the tears for the past year. Thank You most of all for Your Son, in Him...there is no sting.

In His Dust,

Susan Mims Blair's Granddaughter

Thank You...

"He took the cup and gave thanks...

then He took the bread and gave thanks."

~ Luke 22:17,19

It amazes me that Jesus was hours away from being...betrayed, abandoned and offering His Life for us. And yet, He chose to be Thankful during this time.


God, Thank You for a year overflowing with blessings.
Some were blatant....Some were well disguised...

Some were wrapped in grief...

Some were wrapped in laughter and tostado burgers....

Some were wrapped in predictable old friends and bean cups....

Some were wrapped in unexpected new friends and Bible Studies...

Some were wrapped in giggling nieces and precious Godchildren...

Some were wrapped in Mom and Dad...

However, ALL were wrapped in You and By You.

Because "All good and perfect things come from You."

And for that fact....

I choose Thanks.

In His Dust,

DCC

Good Grief...

Yesterday,I went to my first "grief seminar"....begrudgingly.

At first it felt like a Saturday Night Live skit...(which I used to dream of being on, 

but not this skit.) 

Gilda Radner and John Belushi were nowhere to be seen. 

There was not a whole lotta funny in this circle. 

In the circle sat a variety of pain....those that had lost a husband, a son, a dad, a grandmother. A few couldn't even say who they had lost. 

Holidays are supposed to be wonderful...right?

This time of year, everything from commercials, to songs, to conversations, all focus on home and relationships. 

Which is lovely, accept if you are missing home or loved ones....and if you are, 

you are now in the bright spotlight of how much you are missing.

Bottom line, If you ain't sittin' in Norman Rockwell's painting...chances are, you wish you were.

The holidays aren't all they're cracked up to be. 

Ironically, it is the time of year when many of us...crack.

And guess what? 

That. Is. Ok.

This year might not be what you expected....or wished for...

However, don't forget, for one second, 

that Very God Himself, 

is present among us.

In Him all things keep us connected to those we love, both present and past.

It's ok if an empty chair, or the smell of stuffing and chocolate pie gets you choked up...

He gets it.

"Surely He took up our pain and carried our sorrows." ~Isaiah 53:4

Surely that same God will be with us and bear them again this season. 

I for one, am very thankful for that! 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." -2 Corinthians 1:3,4

God, may we shed tears of Thanksgiving for Your presence and the abundance of gifts that flow from it.

In His Dust,

DCC

No Matter What...

I like politics - Watching our Founding Father's system play out on our modern day map fires me up...
(possible nerd alert)

Whether we are across from each other at EZ's, or side by side in the stands watching football or baseball games...this election has worn me out.
All the commercials and yard signs and emails- do they make you feel claustrophobic, rushed and panicked. Or was that just me?


Hearing people say they aren't voting, because they believe our country is doomed either way....
Gimme a break people!!  We aren't electing a Messiah.

So, I went out to pray and walk off Teka's...and the possible M&Ms I might have had.

My daily walk on the golf course- although always pretty, 

was exceptionally beautiful today....

 

I was reminded with this gorgeous view....
Dang. 
He's Big y'all. 
He's not JUST Big.  
He's Big and Brilliant and Just. 
He's The Creator of The Universe....and of you and me. 
Might I remind you and myself, that neither Obama or Romney had any say-so,
over where the ocean starts and stops. 
Nor did they have a peep to say about where or when, you and I came to be.

He knows what's best. 

So, on this important day, while our responsibility to country and each other, must not be taken lightly. Let's keep in mind....

"In Jesus' Name, the nations will put their hope." ~Matthew 12:21

The last time I checked, Obama was not crucified for you and I assume you were not baptized in the name of Romney. 

Let us keep our heart and heads focused on one fact, that doesn't require numbers or polls or even swing states. 

No matter what- 
The sun will set...
The stars will shine...
The moon will hang...
Seasons will change...
You will breathe in and you will breathe out... 
And most of all The Son will rise again. 

"Be Still and know that I Am God; I will be exalted among the nations.

 I will be exalted in the Earth." -Psalm 46:10 

God, Thank You for blessing our country. Please help us keep the proper perspective on Who is truly running things.

In His Dust,

DCC